bread and butter
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bread and butter
n.
1. Means of support; livelihood.
2. The essential sustaining element or elements; the mainstay: "As ever, politics, vulgarity and sentimentality were the bread and butter of the Academy Awards" (David Ansen).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bread and butter
n
1. (modifier) a means of support or subsistence; livelihood: the inheritance was their bread and butter.
2. bread-and-butter
a. providing a basic means of subsistence: a bread-and-butter job.
b. solid, reliable, or practical: a bread-and-butter player.
c. expressing gratitude, as for hospitality (esp in the phrase bread-and-butter letter)
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
bread′ and but′ter
n.
a basic means of support or income; source of livelihood; sustenance.
[1620–30]
bread-and-but•ter
(ˈbrɛd nˈbʌt ər)adj.
1. providing a livelihood or reliable income: the agency's bread-and-butter accounts.
2. of or pertaining to the basic needs of life.
3. basic or everyday; staple; routine.
4. expressing thanks for hospitality: a bread-and-butter letter.
[1720–30]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | bread and butter - the financial means whereby one lives; "each child was expected to pay for their keep"; "he applied to the state for support"; "he could no longer earn his own livelihood" resource - available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed amenities, comforts, conveniences, creature comforts - things that make you comfortable and at ease; "all the comforts of home" maintenance - means of maintenance of a family or group meal ticket - a source of income or livelihood subsistence - minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting; "social security provided only a bare subsistence" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
bread and butter
nounThe means needed to support life:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
رزق، اسباب العيش
obživa
levebrød
kenyér
lífsviîurværi
geçim yolu
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
bread
(bred) noun1. a type of food made of flour or meal baked. bread and butter.
2. one's living. This is how I earn my daily bread.
ˈbreadcrumbs noun plural very tiny pieces of bread. Dip the fish in egg and breadcrumbs.
ˈbreadwinner noun a person who earns money to keep a family. When her husband died she had to become the breadwinner.
bread and butter (a way of earning) one's living. Writing novels is my bread and butter.
on the breadline with barely enough to live on. The widow and her children are on the breadline.
bread and butter takes a singular verb.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.